Social

Local projects receive $1.1 million helping hand from The Snow Foundation

Employment initiatives for marginalised people, scholarships to help disadvantaged students further their studies, and a home for people with disabilities are amongst 50 organisations and individuals receiving grants from The Snow Foundation this year.

Announcing the Foundation’s 2012 grants today at a Community Morning Tea, Chief Executive Officer Georgina Byron said: “As we celebrate 21 years, I am thrilled that so many of our community partners are here to share the occasion with us.

“Since 1991, The Snow Foundation has donated $5.5 million to the community, supporting more than 200 charities and individuals in greater Canberra. The Foundation has grown enormously during that time enabling our donations to increase from $100,000 a year to $1 million a year, extending support to 39 community organisations and 11 individual recipients in 2012.
“This year we continue our ongoing financial commitments to 24 community organisations. We have had relationships from the very beginning with many of these, such as Barnardos, Friends of the Brain Injured, YouthCare, St John’s Care and The Smith Family. We acknowledge the invaluable contribution these organisations make to the community every year.

“We know our funding is well-placed when we see the headway achieved by some of the initiatives, for example: the motor neurone disease research, which we have funded for three years, has attracted attention and additional funding from the School of Advanced Medicine at Macquarie University; the ACT Social Enterprise Hub has helped to create an extra 45 jobs in the past 12 months, and has provided 141 jobs for marginalised people since commencement in 2009; and the dedicated team at HOME in Queanbeyan continues to provide a loving, supportive home and outreach services to people who are homeless and mentally ill, making such a huge difference to their lives.”

Ms Byron said in addition to existing recipients receiving ongoing funding, there were 15 new recipients this year.

“We have increased our support to social enterprises supporting employment for marginalised people, for example White Nile, No Sweat Fashions and Namana; and, we have increased scholarships providing assistance to financially disadvantaged or marginalised youth to enable them to continue with their education or chosen career and now support four groups providing 10 scholarships.
“An exciting new project in Goulburn is Abbeyfield House which opened in June after 10 years of hard work from a committed community. Abbeyfield House accommodates 10 people with disabilities in a safe and secure environment.

“We are constantly inspired by the tireless work and commitment in our community and we look forward to continuing to work together and growing our philanthropic support to enrich the lives of many Australians,” Ms Byron said.

Click here to view the full list and details of grant recipients for 2012.

The Snow Foundation was established by brothers Terry and George Snow in 1991 to provide a helping hand to those who are struggling or disadvantaged in Canberra and the surrounding regions. We focus on three key areas of need: Health, Social Welfare, and Education/Employment where we seek to provide funding that breaks the cycle of poverty, addiction and violence, and to equip individuals to take responsibility for themselves.

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